New Year, New Us: R29’s Own Fashion Resolutions

We're not the firmest believers that you have to wait until January 1 to finally make a change for the better (the third week of March or August is as good a time as any, right?), but there's no denying that the New Year brings an extra-special dose of excitement, possibilities, and potential. Therefore, we've made our own list of resolutions — and this time, we're sticking to 'em!

No, there aren't any gym memberships or 100-crunches-per-night promises on our lists (although, that's not a bad idea). We're making 2013 the most style-savvy year yet. Whether that means finding the perfect pair of shoes, organizing our closets, or shaking ourselves out of our comfort zones, we're ready to commit. Read ahead for R29's own editor fashion resolutions, and be sure to share your own in the comments below.

"To figure out how to wear this beautiful white silk ball skirt that's been sitting in my closet for six months (completely impractical, yes, but totally divine), and to find the perfect neutral statement sandal for spring/summer...before my size sells out!"
— Christene Barberich, editor-in-chief

"I've never had much interest in sewing, despite coming from a family of seamstresses (my great-grandmother was a costume designer for silent films). My version of rebellion, I guess. But recently I found a gem of a machine at Goodwill, and let's just say I got the bug. For 2013 I'm hopeful...a whole new wardrobe pajama pants and a bag?"
— Chloe Daley, editorial production assistant

"My goal: to wear pants. No, not like that — although working from home does allow for some liberties. I mean 'pants' as in 'not jeans.' I live and die in skinny jeans, trouser jeans, boyfriend jeans, you get the drill, but in 2013, I'd like to have more interesting pants in rotation."
— Holly Thomas, D.C. editor

"Perhaps I'll buy fewer white tank tops — currently, I have 22, which is slightly excessive. And since I clearly have an abundance of basics, I'm going to make 2013 the year of statement-making accessories."
— Jessica Teves, managing editor

"This is probably the least sexy idea, but in 2013, I'm going to find a good cobbler who can prolong the life of my shoes. In the past, I've allowed toes to get scuffed and heels to wear down. Those days are over! From here on out, I'm going to keep my favorite shoes polished and well-maintained — which, come to think of it, isn't a bad approach to living in general."
— Annie Tomlin, beauty director

"I'm back in black for 2013 — at least, I hope. See, over the last few years, I've slowly, unconsciously jettisoned all my black clothing. Without even noticing it, I'm down to a sweater, a pair of jeans, and a watch. It may be hard work. I'm gonna start from the ground up with a good pair of boots sometime in January."
— Gabriel Bell, staff writer

"This year, my goal is to build up my jewelry collection. I tend to get caught up in stocking up on dresses and pants, and there's no money left over for accessories. In 2013, I'm going to focus on strong statement jewelry, to perk up the clothes that I already have."
— Seija Rankin, East Coast editorial assistant

"I don't deserve to work at R29 until I start accessorizing better! In 2013, I'm making it my mission to become a true master of the arm party, acquire a regular rotation of at least four rings, and slowly but surely invest in a few nice, interesting handbags so I don't end up carrying the same ratty old thing around for months on end."
— Lexi Nisita, associate community editor

"I've pretty much weeded out high heels from my outfit rotation, but 2013 will be the year I'm bringing them back. I have too many pretty ones that are collecting dust, and since I live SO close to the office, there's really no excuse."
— Connie Wang, global editor

"Ever since I ditched graphic tees in high school, my entire wardrobe became full of drap, plain neutrals. I never, ever plan to ditch the black, but I'm hoping I'll be gutsy enough in 2013 to rock a floral print at least once. Luckily, I don't have to start right away since bright prints don't exactly scream 'winter!' so I'm aiming for late April. Slowly but surely!"
— Lauren Caruso, contributing editor

"I have so many great singular pieces in my closet that every day I tell myself I am going to experiment more with them and mix and match to create cool new looks, but then morning rolls around and I oversleep and get overwhelmed by the choices in my cramped closet, so I wind up just wearing one of my go-to staples I've worn a billion times before. This is going to be the year I start planning out my outfits in advance. Every night when I get home, I'm going to pull out a few pieces and switch things up to create a new look. Most importantly, I'm going to TRY those pieces on the night before — sometimes what looks good lying out on your bed winds up looking whack when you actually put it on. This will help me refresh my wardrobe without spending a dime and get new use out of old, unworn pieces — a fashion win-win scenario!"
— Megan McIntyre, senior beauty editor

"I have so many lovely dresses and skirts, but always end up wearing my boyfriend's concert T-shirts and button-downs. This is going to be the year of dressing up — no longer will those fancy frocks continue to collect dust! Oh, and I want to stop biting my nails, but I've been working on that resolution since I was in middle school. We'll see how this year's efforts turn out."
— Sarah St. Lifer, West Coast editorial assistant

"I'm the laziest girl you will find. On top of that, I'm definitely not a morning person. So, for me, accessories are just way too much trouble. Since we all know they can improve an outfit in an instant, for 2013, I'm committing myself to wear at least one extra piece a day. If I have to set my alarm two minutes earlier, so be it."
— Diana Nguyen, top editor

"Stop. Buying. Jeans. There are exactly three pairs I wear, and approximately 14 crammed into the bottom of my dresser. The last time I moved, it was like pulling that string of handkerchiefs out of a magician's mouth."
— Kelsey Miller, SEO editor

"All I want in 2013 is a Rick Owens leather jacket. No doubt it'll take me until summer to save, but come fall Fashion Week I'll be rockin' that bad boy — debt free!"
— Susan Kaplow, VP of editorial operations

"This year I'd like to dedicate a little more attention to the clothes I wear not at work or going out. It's time to store away all the old college tees used as PJs and faded sweats at the gym. It's time for cuter, chicer, more grown-up downtime clothing that doesn't always make me look like it must be laundry day —2013, here I come!"
— Gina Marinelli, assistant editor

"I've used my bright hair color as a reason to not wear bright clothes or prints basically my whole life. I figure it's time to liven up my wardrobe a little bit, so 2013 will be the year that I start investing in some staples that are not neutral colored."
— Rebecca Smith, SEO editor

"In 2013, I'm vowing to take a few more (calculated) fashion risks. I'm reasonably conservative in my style, but I think this is going to be the year in which I stop buying black and navy shift dresses. I'm all set on that front, and it's time to start spending my fashion budget on the intriguing extras that keep a basic/neutral outfit from fading into the woodwork."
— Neha Gandhi, deputy editor

"This year, my fashion resolution is to make better use of the clothes in my closet. Like most girls, I constantly feel like I have nothing to wear, but then I see bloggers like Sydney from The Daybook who manages to rework and layer her wardobe in endless combinations, and I realize that I am simply being lazy. For the New Year, I'm determined to find new ways to mix and match the clothes that I have, rather than trying to pack my sad, overstuffed closet with any new purchases."
— Tara Rasmus, assistant beauty editor

"Since I work from home, my resolution is to wear a little bit more than my Lululemon!"
— Rebecca Taras, Chicago editor

  "I'm somewhat of a tomboy when it comes to dressing — ankle boots, button ups, and pants are my staples. I'd like to incorporate more feminine pieces into my wardrobe in the near future, so I'm going to be continually adding to my dress collection in 2013."
— Angela Tafoya, S.F. editor